Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest crowns Miss Oktoberfest 2018

(Waterloo Region, ON – September 28, 2018) – At a gala black tie event, Sandra Dynka was crowned Miss Oktoberfest 2018, making her the 50th Miss Oktoberfest since the festival’s inception. Sandra was sponsored by Anita’s Skin Care Spa.

For the past 15 years, the search for the Ambassador for Canada’s Greatest Bavarian Festival has stretched from Waterloo Region to surrounding communities. This year’s search invited young women, who met the stringent criteria, to submit their applications for Miss Oktoberfest; a role that not only serves as an ambassador for the festival, but as a role model for other young women in the region.

Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Executive Director Alfred Lowrick says, “We are very pleased to announce Sandra as Miss Oktoberfest 2018. We had 9 talented and impressive young women in contention this year. Each year the search for Miss Oktoberfest identifies an outstanding young woman who can represent both our festival and the community at more than 200 appearances.”

“It was a tough decision, but through a series of events and interviews, our judges determined that Sandra would best serve our festival and community in one of our lead ambassador roles,” says Lowrick.

Born and raised in the Kitchener-Waterloo, Sandra can’t wait to start her role as Miss Oktoberfest. Even after traveling to many parts of the world, she truly believes there is no place like Waterloo Region. She is proud of the history that surrounds Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest and how it is sewn into the culture of the region. She hopes her time as Miss Oktoberfest will help her be a part of making even more amazing changes in a thriving community. She looks forward to creating a voice for those who are missing community and support in their lives.

“Leaders that I look up to in my life lead with respect, are humble and never take their leadership for granted,” states Sandra in her Miss Oktoberfest Application. “I want to follow in their footsteps and make an impact on this community leading in exactly that way!”

Sandra is a Kinesiology Graduate from Texas Tech University with a minor in nutrition. One of Sandra’s biggest passions is not only educating people on the importance of nutrition, but making it accessible to every single person in the region. In 2017 she helped launch an organic garden project where individuals in need are given access to nutrient-dense, organic meals three times a week. The organic vegetables are grown at a community garden with a small group of volunteers, which are then distributed through a local non-profit organization.

In addition to her passion for nutrition, she is an advocate for encouraging others to believe in themselves and chase their dreams, no matter their age. As a former tennis player, she has felt the burden of struggling to find her identity outside of competitions. A dream of hers is to start an organization where females can come together and embrace who they are outside of their field whether it be athletics or otherwise.

Miss Oktoberfest is a favourite among the hundreds of school children she comes in contact with during the festival, including the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade. In fact, she is the second most requested VIP, surpassed only by the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest mascot Onkel Hans.
Miss Oktoberfest 2018 was crowned by outgoing Miss Oktoberfest 2017 Mikaila Emrich, in front of a crowd of over 500 guests at the black-tie Miss Oktoberfest Gala Ball, presented by Pfaff Porsche/Porsche of London at the brand new LOT 42 Global Flex Campus in Kitchener.
The 1st runner-up was Allyson Iles, sponsored by Mr. Ray Tout, and the 2nd runner-up was Kristin Flannigan, sponsored by Pin Up Arcade Bar.

About Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest is Canada’s Greatest Bavarian Festival. The not-for-profit organization was founded in 1969 by a group of volunteers committed to contributing to the social and economic vitality of Kitchener and Waterloo, Canada. Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest annually provides $22.2 million of economic benefit to the community, while not-for-profit organizations associated with the festival raise an additional $1.5 million each year for their cause. Hosted in the twin cities because of the strong German heritage, Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest celebrates German food, music, fashion, and more! The nine-day festival runs every October and is operated by eight year-round full-time staff, over 450 volunteers, and 1,300 community and service club volunteers. Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest is one of the top three most recognized event brands in Canada. For more information visit www.oktoberfest.ca.
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2019-09-30 17:00:00Restaurants throughout Waterloo Region offer a prix fixe menu with a beer pairing for their patrons to share the Bavarian Spirit of Gemuetlichkeit and celebrate Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest!